Dilip Kumar, whose career spans almost six decades, stands out as a colossus in the field of Indian cinema. Undeniably the most imitated actor in Bollywood, he has adapted himself (and remarkably well at that) to the changing times and the new age innovations and techniques, while maintaining his stamp of individuality. This biography, by a renowned and seasoned journalist, delves deep into the life and times of this phenomenally talented individual and into his relationships with the film fraternity. It brings out in graphic detail how an introverted and inhibited youngster metamorphosed into a thespian par excellence by the sheer dint of his determination, perseverance and capability. Beginning with his childhood years in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), the contents go on to describe the experiences of Dilip Kumar and his family as they moved to Deolali and then to Bombay. The author recounts Dilip Kumar’s crucial meeting with Devika Rani (the then reigning star) in the early 1940s, which was the turning point in his life, in that he bagged his first film assignment (Jwar Bhata, 1944). The rest is history. Dilip Kumar’s oeuvre covers a wide genre of movies including social dramas, historical romances and light-hearted comedies. He has several prestigious awards to his credit including the Filmfare Best Actor Award (eight times, a record), the Padma Bhushan (1991) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1995). He has also been decorated with Pakistan’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1997). This comprehensive study turns the spotlight on not only Dilip Kumar the actor but also on Dilip Kumar the human being-as a son, a brother, a lover, a husband and, above all, a friend. In the process, it not only traces the vicissitudes of his career but also reveals the man behind the image-his strengths, his foibles, his passions, his romances.
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